La ripartenza! Partnering for FIGC’s renaissance in Italian football stadiums

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 ~ 21:15pm

Xperiology's expert team has just returned from two hectic days amongst a workshop of over 20 clubs at the headquarters of FIGC (Italian Football Federation). The goal? The 're-launch' of Italy's football stadium sector...

Under the leadership of FIGC President Giancarlo Abete, Italy's football federation is determined to rebuild the country's underperforming (and underwhelming) football infrastructure.

While a new law – which aims to assist project development and finance – has been stalled in Italy's parliament for over a year, FIGC's new Development Department has launched a series of programmes to assist the development of "a new football business" for the national sport. Key to the success of the initiative is the development of new stadium facilities to meet the customer expectations, revenue demands and sustainability goals of modern football businesses.

Working with Parma-based Studio Ghiretti, Xperiology was invited to coordinate a series of international experts in stadium operations. Alongside the international guest speakers, Jean-Claude Blanc, Director General of top club Juventus joined the programme to provide key insights into the development of the club's new 41,500-capacity stadium in Turin – the first major new football stadium in the country for over 50 years.

"Italy has fallen behind the rest of Europe in terms of stadium development," says Xperiology's Ian Nuttall. "For a country that with the colosseum invented this whole industry, it is something of a national disgrace. We must applaud President Abete and other key executives at FIGC, including Michele Uva, newly-appointed head of the Development Department, for their vision and efforts to initiate 'la ripartenza' for Italian football. It is an honour to be part of this vital process."

The workshop was attended by over 35 delegates, representing over 20 clubs (including Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Lecce, Palermo, Cagliari, Albinoleffe, Napoli among many others) and other key industry specialists, such as Sport+Markt, rights agency Infront and leading supplier Mondo.

The launch of the stadium development programme was covered in over 20 newspapers and two TV networks (Sky and RAI), plus a landmark live streaming broadcast via the FIGC web site.

The stadium study group will meet again in a few weeks at the FIGC national technical centre at Coverciano, Florence, to continue the debate, discussions and future directions for Italy's stadium sector.

For further information contact Valeria Chiesa at Studio Ghiretti & Associati via email formazione @ studioghiretti.it or tel: +39 0521 1911461.

Pictured: FIGC President Giancarlo Abete (foreground) and Juventus' Jean-Claude Blanc (background) being interviewed at the launch of the programme in the FIGC's Council Chamber.